Day 153

As I began editing this morning that which I prepared months ago I realized (somehow) that I wrote 2 meditations for May 28. So now you will have to receive a double portion today. The second for May 28 and today’s one.

Psalm 74: Read here – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2074&version=NASB

This ‘Contemplation of Asaph,’ is a plea and prayer in great sorrow caused by the destruction of the sanctuary (Psalm 74:3, 7). Most believe this psalm followed the destruction of the temple by the Babylonians. Thus, this Asaph is not the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era, unless Asaph composed this psalm prophetically, which was possible according to 1Chron25:1 and 2Chronicles 29:30. The name of Asaph was perpetuated amoung temple musicians who were the descendants, or ‘school’ of musicians with that name. We know that the ‘descendants of Asaph’ were functioning as late as the reign of Josiah (2Chronicles 35:15).

This is a desperate psalm, yet this is not the song of an atheist, but the wail of a believer. The author wrote of the terrible sense that God had ‘cast us off forever’ and is no longer for us. When our own hearts are hot and restless, and it seems that God is silent, it is a wise person who turns to God in song, even if that song be a complaint or lament.

This is a fierce complaint, bordering on impropriety as an address to God. When we complain it is more often the case that we just complain, either to ourselves or to others. It is better to complain to God.

While the author here laments the destruction of his sanctuary, modern critics try to destroy the church today. Their use of pretended objectivity, anti-religious sentiments, assumed vilification, anti-discrimination, ridicule, and debating tricks are like the axes and hammers(v7) that destroy a beautiful building – the body of Christ – made unto God’s glory. They have no love for the truth or the people of God.

‘How long?’(V10) is the great cry of scripture that reverberates all the way to Revelation. Both Jeremiah and Daniel answered that question.

In v12-15 Asaph meditated first on the royal authority of God and then upon His great power. The same God who divided the sea by His strength could rescue His people in the present crisis. What apparent contradictions the eyes of sight see, can be overcome by that which the eyes of faith can behold.